Effects of the Proclamation, Freed Negroes Coming Into Our Lines at New Bern, North Carolina, February 21, 1863

“Effects of the Proclamation, Freed Negroes Coming Into Our Lines at New Bern, North Carolina,” was an illustration that appeared in Harper’s Weekly on February 21, 1863.  In the spring of 1862, General Ambrose Burnside led an expedition through the North Carolina coast.  After taking several major forts and cities, the Union army began occupation of eastern North Carolina.  This occupation made the dream of freedom very much a reality for many North Carolina slaves that saw protection right over the Union lines.  Furthermore, on January 1, 1863, President Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation making all the slaves in North Carolina free.  As of result of the Proclamation and the close vicinity of the Union army, many freed people sought freedom by coming into the Union lines.  This illustration shows just that with the Union army accompanied by freed people making their way to freedom in New Bern, North Carolina.